Trip Reflection: Afghanistan, Seychelles, Pakistan, China, Madagascar
- Konrad Tillman
- May 2
- 4 min read
Intro
I recently finished up my Spring Break review trip covering 4 continents, 13 flights, and some countries which are considered “off-the-beaten-path”. I wanted to start a new thing where I talk about what I learnt on the trip, as well as what I took out of it.
Without further ado, this is my first trip reflection.
How Was It Overall
Looking back at this incredible adventure, it was one of the most intense but enlightening trips I have taken in my life. Not only was there fun involved, whether that be at the Great Wall of China or visiting the Taliban controlled consulate in Peshawar, but there was also a sense of community. Everywhere I went, I met new friends that I still talk to this day. As a matter of fact, I had a long WhatsApp call with a friend I met at the Four Seasons Desroches, and they have invited me to their new home in Mauritius later this year!
To me, this is what traveling is all about. Whether it is meeting a 72-year-old Spanish solo traveler in Afghanistan, or even a man on the side of the road walking home drunk from a night out, it’s what makes me feel alive. People are open, people are in general, honest, and there is a great deal to be had fun out there. This trip was the most fun I have had in a while.
The Lessons I Learnt
Over the course of travels in the past two years, there have been plenty of lessons I have learnt in both good ways and bad. However, this trip taught me a lot more than what I had known previously.
People are inherently good, but they make decisions in dire situations. As an example, seeing 5 year old kids homeless on the streets of Kabul was shocking, but they were also kind in their own way. Which brings me to my next point…
I have previously seen a lot of poverty in the world, especially in South Sudan, but navigating through the slums in Antananarivo was an eye-opening experience. Madagascar, in general, isn’t talked about a lot compared to the likes of mainland Africa, but it suffers from severe economic instability. But it’s not all that…
This trip re-inforced why I still believe Africa is my favorite continent on earth. Even when I visited a locals house in the slum, he gave his wife 20 Madagasi to buy us some beers for when we came back. Not my money, his. Don’t get me wrong, people in Afghanistan were very kind, but the people in Africa have the kindest and most pure hearts on earth.
Overall, I learnt many lessons throughout this trip, which brings me to my next point.
What I Took Away
With all of these lessons I learnt, there are multiple different lessons that I plan to look at further and implement in my life.
Don’t take life too seriously. Someone taught me a very valuable lesson in Beijing and said that, “if we get rid of out stressors in life, we have no more stressors”. Sounds simple right? Well, obviously it is easier said than done, but it is true. The small things really don’t matter in the grand scheme of things.
Be open to people, and trust people more. In the consumerism society back in the USA, it seems that everything is a competition, but to me life is more than having the nicer house, or more loving wife etc.
To me, I slept better in a 10$ per night homestay in Afghanistan than my own bed at home Treat others as you would like to be treated. I know, this is a lesson that is taught extensively at a young age, but it’s often forgotten around the world when traveling. If you go into a place believing that it’s dangerous, you go around in bulletproof vehicles or UN cars, and expect to be treated differently. Now, if you go dancing at a local bar in Madagascar, you gain the respect of all of the locals there. People love it when you embrace culture.
The past is the past, focus on the present and future. Easier said than done once again right? A lot of times in my life I cling to the past and let it affect me. However, I’ve realized that if we focus on the past, we will never be able to solve anything.
Why I Recommend Adventure Travel
I used to be that person who traveled to places like Bora Bora, the Maldives, Thailand, Bali etc. However, ever since I went on my first big Africa trip, it changed my life. Adventure travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations is my favorite thing in the world now. Honestly, as much as I like flying business class to these places, these places are more fun than the flights.
You not only go into countries where few people visit, but places where people almost never visit. As an example, I was in Shan State and someone messaged me later saying “I didn’t know tourists still come here”. You get real, human, authentic connection. There are no westernized tourist traps, just you and people. It changes your perspective on life.
Final Thoughts
The three week trip across some of the tensest regions in the world was one of the most eye-opening and most incredible trips I have ever taken. Without doubt, this has helped re-affirm my belief that I will be moving to Africa (Mozambique) in September, and setting up shop outside of the US. Not that I have anything against the United States, it’s just not for me when I can have a 3 bedroom villa on the beach for 500$ per month.
Comments